Bait stations

Abstract

Bait stations are disclosed that include a housing having an upper casing and a lower casing coupled to form an interior cavity. A pad, gel, or variations thereof that carry food are disposed within the interior cavity. The lower casing includes a base having a peripheral flange that defines an outer edge, an outer wall that is spaced apart from the outer edge and extends upwardly from the peripheral base flange to a top edge, and an inner wall that extends from the top edge to a first surface to define a receiving space therein. The upper casing includes a plurality of apertures that are configured to allow insects therethrough into the interior cavity.

We claim: 
     
       1. A bait station, comprising:
 a housing that includes an upper casing and a lower casing coupled to form an interior cavity, the lower casing comprising:
 a base having a base flange defining an outer edge; 
 an outer wall, the outer wall spaced apart from the outer edge; 
 an inner wall, the inner wall opposite of the outer wall and defining a receiving space; and 
 a top surface bridging the outer wall and the inner wall, wherein the outer wall defines an outer ramped surface, and the inner wall defines an inner ramped surface opposite of the outer ramped surface, 
 
 the upper casing comprising:
 an upper flange, the upper flange corresponding to the profile of the base flange; 
 a dome, the dome extending upward from the upper flange to a top surface, the dome defining a front ramped surface along a first direction and the front ramped surface above the outer ramped surface; and 
 a plurality of apertures that are configured to allow insects therethrough into the interior cavity, wherein the plurality of apertures is configured to be adjacent to the top surface when the upper casing is coupled to the lower casing, 
 wherein the plurality of apertures of the upper casing is disposed within a depression, and 
 wherein the plurality of apertures extends linearly along a length of the depression. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The bait station of  claim 1 , wherein the dome is in contact with the second side when the upper casing is coupled to the lower casing, and
 wherein the upper casing and the lower casing are ultrasonically welded along at least a portion of the upper flange and the base flange. 
 
     
     
       3. The bait station of  claim 1 , wherein a peelable label is disposed on the front ramped surface and covers the plurality of apertures, and
 wherein the peelable label is configured to be removed prior to use of the bait station. 
 
     
     
       4. The bait station of  claim 1 , wherein a periphery of the outer wall includes substantially straight sections that extend between curved sections and extend substantially parallel to the outer edge adjacent thereto. 
     
     
       5. The bait station of  claim 4 , wherein the substantially straight sections include a first side and a second side opposite of the first side, the first side including the outer ramped surface. 
     
     
       6. The bait station of  claim 5 , wherein the first side includes a first gap defined between the outer wall and the inner wall, wherein the second side includes a second gap defined between the outer wall and the inner wall, and
 wherein the first gap is larger than the second gap. 
 
     
     
       7. The bait station of  claim 6  wherein a height of a wall is defined by a length between the top surface and the base, wherein a first height is defined by the curved section adjacent to the first side, and a second height is defined by the curved section adjacent to the second side, and
 wherein the first side is taller than the second side. 
 
     
     
       8. The bait station of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a tapered post that is disposed within the receiving space and extends upwardly from the base to a post end, and
 wherein the tapered post is configured to retain a pad. 
 
     
     
       9. The bait station of  claim 8 , wherein the pad is disposed within the interior cavity and has a central aperture, and
 wherein the tapered post extends through the central aperture of the pad. 
 
     
     
       10. The bait station of  claim 8 , wherein the inner wall of the lower casing further comprises at least one protrusion extending from the inner wall into the receiving space,
 wherein the at least one protrusion is configured to align the pad within the receiving space, and 
 wherein the at least one protrusion is disposed opposite of the inner ramped surface. 
 
     
     
       11. A bait station, comprising:
 an upper casing, the upper casing having a dome, the dome having a curved surface that tapers at a top surface and a front ramped surface that is defined by an ovular outer profile, the ovular profile including a depressed region having a plurality of apertures; and 
 a lower casing, the lower casing having a wall, the wall having a top surface and extending around a tapered post that is disposed within a receiving space, the wall including an outer ramped surface outboard of the top surface of the wall and an inner ramped surface inboard of the top surface of the wall along a first side, the first side disposed opposite of a second side, wherein the upper casing and the lower casing are coupled to form a housing that defines an interior cavity, and 
 wherein the front ramped surface of the upper casing is directly above the outer ramped surface of the inner casing. 
 
     
     
       12. The bait station of  claim 11 , wherein the depressed region of the upper casing includes a lower edge, and the lower edge sits directly above the top surface of the lower casing. 
     
     
       13. The bait station of  claim 11 , wherein the dome abuts the wall of the lower casing when the upper casing is coupled to the lower casing. 
     
     
       14. The bait station of  claim 11 , wherein the front ramped surface of the upper casing is partially received by an indented region of the outer ramped surface. 
     
     
       15. The bait station of  claim 14 , wherein the indented region extends between curved sections of the wall.